shot. The contrast is great with the present time, as we see but comparatively few. The bounty offered for their destruction was insufficient, and the results were exceedingly damaging to crops.

Major John Whipple, of Detroit, was this year (1830) appointed keeper of the light-house a short time before erected in the vicinity of La Plaisance Bay harbor on Lake Erie.

On the 22d of January, 1832, a very revolting spectacle was witnessed by the citizens of Monroe the whipping of Edward Dillon with fifteen lashes on the bare back, a custom which yet prevails in New Jersey. It was, however, an efficient mode, as those subjected to public whipping were so thoroughly disgraced that they were seldom in those days seen twenty-four hours after punishment. was often adopted as a mode of punishment for theft. The whipping always took place on the public square in Monroe.

It

Alcott C. Chapman removed to Monroe from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, soon after the close of the War of 1812, when the prospects of this section of country were at the lowest ebb. He continued to reside here from that time to the date of his death, April 22, 1831, aged thirtyeight years. Mr. Chapman was uniformly one of its most public-spirited citizens, and to his exertions more than to any other single individual was the village of Monroe indebted for its then flourishing prospects. He erected the largest hotel in the State, and even up to the time of his last sickness his enterprise was not in the least abated, as he was then engaged in erecting another splendid building on Monroe street.

The River Raisin toll bridge on the 6th of March, 1832, left its long established foundation and departed in solemn majesty down stream. This event, from a considerable rise of water and the heavy masses of ice that were floating with great force at the time, was looked for with a great degree of certainty by a concourse of the citizens, who had assembled to witness the exit of the rotten skeleton that had so long overshadowed our river. Several individuals who had posted themselves on the bridge narrowly escaped a similar fate. The loss to the owners, Messrs. Henry Disbrow and John Bt. Russeau, was severely felt by them, as they had purchased the charter but a short time previous. Some of our older citi

zens well remember the old toll bridge. Since its day and before the day of iron bridges they have seen many a wooden structure sent cavorting down stream by the spring freshets, but the day for that kind of entertainment is now happily past.

Township election for Monroe resulted April 14, 1832, in the election of Luther Harvey, supervisor; Peter P. Ferry, township clerk; Levi S. Humphrey, Nathan Hubbell and Ezekiel A. Peltier, assessors; Samuel H. Gale, David M. Jacobs and Stephen Duval, commissioners; Edward D. Ellis, director of the poor; John Mulhollen, collector; James H. Miller, John Mulhollen, Louis E. Bailey, constables; Daniel S. Bacon, Phanuel W. Warriner and Harry Conant, school inspectors; Waterbury Gray, Harry Conant, poundmasters; W. W. Gale, David M. Jacobs, Robert F. Navarre, fence viewers.

Village election occurred June 4, 1832, and the following persons were elected: President, John Anderson; trustees, Harry Conant, Timothy H. Lindsley, Samuel P. Munger, Harry V. Mann, Thomas G. Cole; treasurer, Edward D. Ellis; marshal, Lewis E. Bailey; assessors, Levi S. Humphrey, Nathan Hubbell; school commissioners, Warner Wing, James Q. Adams, Wolcott Lawrence; supervisor of highways, Joseph Wood.

Took

Jeremiah Lawrence came to Monroe August 5 1817- was a native of Connecticut. an active part in the cause of his country during the Revolutionary War; was for many years a civil magistrate in Massachusetts, and during the most of his residence here acted in a similar capacity, besides filling a variety of public trusts in the village and township. He died at the residence of his son-in-law, Joseph C. Garwood, on the 5th of August, 1833.

Township election in Monroe April, 1834, resulted in the election of Edward D. Ellis, supervisor; Peter P. Ferry, town clerk; Joseph Wood, James H. Miller, Lewis E. Bailey, constables; Seneca Allen, Issachar Frost, Nathan Hubbell, assessors; David M. Jacobs, Norman D. Curtis, Stephen Duval, commissioners of highways; Thomas Wilson, Henry S. Platt, directors of the poor; Wolcott Lawrence, Harry Conant, Isaac P. Skinner, school commissioners; James Q. Adams, Daniel S. Bacon, Timothy H. Lindsley, Harry V. Mann and John H. Converse, school inspectors.

THE VILLAGE OF MONROE. The settlement, so far as it could claim the name of a town prior to the disastrous scenes of the late war with Great Britain, was confined to the opposite (north) side of the River Raisin, principally at a point where the present turnpike road leaves the River Raisin in the direction of Detroit, at the place of the principal massacre of the River Raisin at the time of General Winchester's well-known defeat. The town was then known by the name of Frenchtown, and was composed of a few dwellings and stores of those who were principally engaged in the Indian fur trade, but which was mainly destroyed in January, 1813.

No efforts were made towards building up a town on the south side of the River Raisin prior to the year 1817, when by an executive proclamation of acting Governor William Woodbridge, founded on the report of Colonel John Anderson and Wolcott Lawrence, appointed to examine and report in the premises, the town of Monroe was laid out as now existing, on the south bank of the River Raisin, upon lands belonging to Joseph Loranger and others, who duly expressed their assent to the subdivisions thereof into proper lots, streets, commons, and public squares, and moreover agreed to make liberal donations for the benefit of said county and to execute conveyances to inure to the public use, and said town was at that time constituted the permanent seat of justice in and for the county of Monroe. The reason for locating the town upon the south side of the river was that the titles to the lands for

public grounds could not be obtained upon the opposite side. For the ten following years the town made but trifling progress.

In 1824 the office for the sale of the public lands in the Southwestern Land District of the Territory was opened in the village of Monroe. Charles J. Lanman and Dr. Robert Clark were appointed register and receiver, and the office was continued with advantage to the Government until by the passage of an act of Congress February 10, 1831, the office was abolished, the district changed, and a new office opened in St. Joseph county. The difficulties, however, to which the inhabitants were subjected by this change soon became apparent to the Government, and accordingly, early in the session of Congress, the Southern Land District was formed, and the office again located in the village of Monroe, and sales were commenced in May, 1833. Early in the administration of General Andrew Jackson, Messrs. Lanman and Clark were removed, and Messrs. Dan. B. Miller and Levi S. Humphrey were their successors.

By the census taken under authority of the United States in the summer and fall of 1830, the village numbered a population of but 478 souls. The best judges computed the population in 1834 between 1,200 and 1,500.

The county was then subdivided into nine townships, all possessing an active and enterprising population, and thought to comprise 5,000 or 6,000 souls. The county is watered by Swan Creek, Otter Creek, Plum Creek, the River Raisin and its branches, and Stony Creek; bounded on the north by Huron River.

JAMES JACQUES GODFROY

AS born in Detroit in 1824. Was edu

WAS cated at Bardstown, Kentucky; there

studied law, but abandoned the profession on account of ill-health. He formed a copartnership with his brother Peter, with the firm name of P. & J. J. Godfroy. They were conversant with the language of the different tribes of Indians then in this vicinity, and spoke fluently the English, French and Indian languages. The subject of this article was with the Indians very popular, and was elected a chief by the Pottawatomie tribe. Their trade was mainly with the French and Indians, and was conducted on such thoroughly honest and upright principles that he secured their confidence and friendship. It was rarely the case that any negotiations for farms or transactions of importance were made by the French inhabitants without first submitting them to Mr. Godfroy, then adopting his advice and counsel. His feelings and sympathies were all with the Democratic party, and he wielded a wonderful influence with the French vote of the county. The common expression at that early day was: "As goes Jock Godfroy, so goes the county." He was a constant attendant at the polls on election days, and as many of the French did not read or write, they always felt sure of a straight Democratic vote if they received it from the hands of Jock, and all efforts to dissuade or influence them were fruitless. His activity and energy in distributing ballots at such times will long be remembered by the early settlers.

As heretofore stated, nearly all important negotiations and transfers of real estate were made through his counsel and advice, and in a large proportion of the early conveyances in the register's office of this county you find his name as the subscribing witness. He was in manner modest and retiring, and though much

interested in politics was averse to having his name used as a candidate for any office of public trust. In but one instance was his name submitted, then as a candidate for mayor of the city on the temperance ticket. He was a strong advocate of the temperance cause, was elected by a very large majority, and discharged the duties of the office acceptably to the citizens, with credit to himself, and without compensation. The firm of P. & J. J. Godfroy built and occupied as a store the building on the corner of Front and Macomb streets, now owned and occupied by Mr. Eli Rivard.

Mr. Godfroy resided until 1836 on his farm on the north side of the River Raisin, now owned and occupied by one of our most enterprising farmers, Mr. Dubois. During that year he built for those days a stately residence on the farm directly cast of the Philip R. Tull residence, which he occupied up to the time of his death and which is still owned by his descendants.

Wedworth W. Clark, favorably known to our citizens, became a copartner of the firm of P. & J. J. Godfroy under the name of P. & J. Godfroy & Co., removed from the old stand, and for many years occupied the store on the south side of Front street, in the Dansard block, now owned by his son Samuel.

Until the Indians were by our Government removed west of the Mississippi, it was customary for the Indians on every New Year's day to call at the residence of their chief with their squaws and papooses. A papoose was strapped tightly to a board and carried on the squaw's back. An additional leather strap was nailed to the "barseau" in order that it might be slung over the mother's head, to enable her to carry the "barseau with its contents (the papoose). It was so constructed as to hang on the bough of a tree, thus serving the purpose of a modern cradle.

The approach of storms of thunder and light

ning was fraught with terror and apprehension to Mr. Godfroy, and it was his custom to leave his customers and business, hasten home, disrobe, hurry into his large feather bed and cover his head with pillows, believing it a sure protection. When the storm had subsided he would return to his customers, finding them waiting for him and indulging in merriment at his expense.

Mr. Godfroy was employed by our Government to remove the Indians west of the Mississippi, and at that time purchased nearly all the French ponies in the county.

Mr. Godfroy married Victoria, the daughter of Colonel Francis Navarre. He died in 1847, leaving a widow and a family of three sons and five daughters, all of whom are now living with the exception of one son, Frederick, who died at Plattsburg in 1885. He married the daughter of Richard Phillips, of Brest. Frederick was intended by his father for the priesthood in the Catholic church, and partially completed a course of study in our State University; but preferring a business life, he was for many years clerk in the dry goods store of Charles G. Johnson, afterward clerk in the banking office of Wing & Johnson in Monroe, and in the banking office of Mitchell & Waldron of Hillsdale. Subsequently he was appointed by our Government a commissioner and Indian agent in New Mexico.

John L. C. Godfroy, the eldest son of J. J. Godfroy, commonly called Columbus, inherited many of the characteristics of his father, and is one of our most trustworthy citizens. He was for many years a dry goods merchant in Monroe. He has enjoyed the confidence of the public, has served the county as treasurer, is frequently sought for as executor and administrator of estates, and is now identified in business with the Wilder Manufacturing Company in Monroe.

J. J. Godfroy's eldest daughter, Celestine Ann Godfroy, married the Hon. Frederick Waldorf, who was born in Wellstown, Germany, January 27, 1825. He came to Monroe May 9, 1842, from Buffalo, and was in the employ of Samuel J. Holley, the owner of the City Mills, on Front street. By his industry and enterprise he became one of the most prominent and wealthy citizens. In politics he is a Republican; averse to holding office, though in a city where the party is in a large minority

he has often been elected mayor of the city, and discharged the duties with great credit to himself, proving worthy of the honor conferred. He is highly esteemed as a man of integrity and uprightness, and has been for many years and is now the President of the First National Bank of Monroe.

The second daughter of James J. Godfroy, Regina Victoria Godfroy, married Thurlow A. Strong, present register of deeds of Monroe county.

The third daughter, Alexandrine, married Mr. DeRutte, who died in Buffalo. The widow and children reside in Monroe.

The remaining sons, Augustus, Samuel and Philip, are in business in Monroe, and with their brothers have ever adhered to the tem· perance principles of their father.

COLONEL PETER PEYRE FERRY

Was born in Marseilles, France, and received a liberal education. He had a commission from and fought under Napoleon Bonaparte in his campaigns in Italy, Africa, Germany, and Austria, and with him suffered in common with his army the horrors and hardships of his memorable campaigns, living for days and weeks on horseflesh, and when in Monroe in subsequent years related the incident of his entertaining at dinner a number of his fellow French officers, when the bill of fare consisted principally of rats.

After the successful campaigns of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1800 and 1801, resulting in the treaties with Spain, Naples, Bavaria, Portugal, Russia and Turkey, it seemed as if a universal cessation of hostilities was about to mark the history of Europe. To the title of Conqueror, the First Consul now added that of Pacificator. Many could then understand the cautious steps of Napoleon toward a still more absolute power his head was giddy with success, and it was apparent he was aiming at the imperial diadem. At this time, and two years before he was proclaimed Emperor of France, Colonel Ferry believed in service he was contending for a republic. When it was apparent that Napoleon Bonaparte's ambition and determination was to be the Emperor of France, disregarding and setting aside the principles that had animated those whose heart's desire

was a republic for France, and for which they supposed they were fighting, Colonel Ferry demanded his passports, which were with reluctance granted, and he embarked for America. He first sought New York in 1802, in which city his brother Joseph resided: He could not He could not return to France, and authorized his brother by a power of attorney to convert his property in France into available money. His brother proved false to his trust, appropriated his estate and wealth to his own use, reducing Colonel Ferry from affluence to poverty.

In New York city he married Ann Lloyd Jones, an English lady, from thence moved to Stamford, Connecticut, from thence to Danbury, Ohio, and from thence to Cleveland, Ohio.

He arrived in Monroe in October, 1822, and occupied one-half of the Lacroix house, now standing, on the north side of the River Raisin and owned by Louis Lafontain. After one year's residence he was appointed a justice of the peace. He also taught school a number of years, and is now well remembered by many of our older citizens as the keeper of the toll bridge that crossed the river at the site of the present Monroe street bridge.

Colonel Ferry was regarded as one of our most intelligent citizens, a fine accountant and trustworthy, and was for many successive. years elected treasurer of the county of Mon

roe.

He resided on Washington street, in the homestead now owned and in possession of his descendants, Mrs. John Tull and family.

He died in May, 1845, leaving a widow, two sons and two daughters. Lucian Ferry, his eldest son, was born in 1811, at Stamford, Connecticut, left Monroe at the age of seventeen and embarked in the fur trade at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he also studied law and was admitted to practice. He was for many years prosecuting attorney of that county. He died at Fort Wayne, leaving a widow, one son and two daughters. The daughters are married and now reside in Fort Wayne. The son settled in and is now practicing law in Portland, Oregon.

Adelaide, daughter of Peter P. Ferry, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, May 5, 1814; married in the spring of 1835, but lived but one year thereafter.

Julia Ann was born in Danbury, Ohio, November 12, 1816; was married in October, 1837, to John Tull.

Lewis Victor Ferry, second son, was born in Danbury, Ohio, May 9, 1820; died at the age of twenty-eight in Monroc.

Margaret was born at Sandusky, Ohio, May 23, 1822; married in August, 1842, to Rev. Resing Sapp, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, who died May 5, 1873, leaving six sons: Dexter T. Sapp, a lawyer in Colorado; William and Edward, both lawyers in Galena, Kansas; Charles, a bookkeeper in Grand Rapids; and John R. Sapp, who was killed by lightning in his thirty-seventh year, while a student at the Michigan University.

Elisha, the third son of Peter P. Ferry, was born in Monroe, August 9, 1825; was educated in the Branch University of Michigan, at Monroe, the Rev. Samuel Center, principal. He first settled and practiced law in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Practiced law thereafter in Waukegan, Illinois (then Little Fort). He there married the daughter of Doctor Kellogg, was appointed surveyor-general by President Lincoln, and was subsequently appointed for two terms governor of the State. He is now living at Seattle, Washington Territory, with a family of five children.

Colonel Peter P. Ferry was in sentiment and belief an infidel, until his attendance in the old yellow court-house on the services conducted by the Rev. Mr. Frontis, a Presbyterian clergyman, at which time he became a Christian and united with the First Presbyterian. church in the year 1825, saying, however, that his father was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church in France, and his partiality therefor would induce him to dissolve his connection should a Protestant Episcopal church be organized. He was one of the first members of the Protestant Episcopal church in this city, was the successor of Doctor Walter Colton, the first warden, assisted in organizing the Sabbath school therein, and was for some time superintendent thereof.

ROBERT CLARK

Was born June 12, 1777, six months after his father's family arrived in America. He was of Scotch ancestry, concerning whom very little is known, beyond the fact that his family emigrated from that part of Scotland known as the Lowlands. The family settled in Wash